The Real Club Náutico of Palma Will Host The Melges 32 World Championship In September

The Melges 32 class has been presented today in Spain on the occasion of its debut in the 30th Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre, a competition the one design fleet expects to attend at least three more years. The class has also announced that the 2011 World Championship will take place in the Real Club Naútico of Palma from the 20th to the 24th of September.

Víctor Mariño, the class representative in Spain, has stressed the rapid growth of the class in Italy, the UK and the U.S.A., with a total of 115 units worldwide, 50 of which are based in Europe. "It's a modern boat, fun but also competitive, demanding and technical," explains Mariño. One design and real time are the future of sailing, and that's what Spain should aim for. The Melges 32 is perfect cause it's simple to launch, transport and maintain," he added.

Melges founder's grandson Harry Melges, III and Europe's CEO Federico Michetti said they expect the class to take part in the Copa del Rey at least three more years. Michetti thanked Bribón-Movistar's boat owner and skipper Marc de Antonio for their support and commitment to a class they have already competed within.

Javier Sanz, president of the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre organizing committee, expressed the interest of the Real Club Náutico of Palma in becoming one of the hosting venues of the class European circuit which is currently being set up. Barcelona has already been confirmed as one of the host cities.

The 2011 Melges 32 World Championship will take place from the 20th till the 24th of September in Palma de Mallorca. The competition's third edition after Porto Cervo and San Francisco is expected to gather a fleet of 30 to 35 boats, in the words of Víctor Mariño, as well as top sailors from all around the world with Olympic, America's Cup, and Audi MedCup sailing backgrounds.